Sliding abutment type rotary internal-combustion engine



Sept. 2, 1952 KUNZ 2,608,960

SLIDING ABUTMENT TYPE ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. '7, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 2, 1952 F. NZ 2,608,960

SLIDING ABUTMENT TYPE ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. '7, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 q N N INVENTOR. N /[away KIA Z Sept. 2, 1952 KUNZ 2,608,960

SLIDING ABUTMENT TYPE ROTARY INTERNAL-:CQMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. '7, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 =E i a 3 Patented Sept. 2, 1952 SLIDING ABUTMENT TYPE ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Friedrich Kunz, Lucerne, Switzerland Application August 7, 1947, Serial No. 767,263 In Switzerland March 30, 1943 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires March 30, 1963 9 Claims.

reduce to a minimumthe losses due to friction.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means permitting a substantial decrease in the wear and tear of components heretofore encountered in rotary type motors.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide rotary meansrendering it possible to obtain greater power than can be obtained from a comparable piston type motor.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide rotary means of the aforesaid type which runs smoother and without substantial vibration. I

Briefly described, the present invention relates to a motor including rotors attached to a machine shaft and rotated within a casing. The rotors or wheel bodies are provided at their respective circumferences with at least one compartment rotating with the rotor. The compartment is formed by a cavity bounded by at least one cross wall fitted with a sealing set of packing strips. The casing is provided with at least one slide valve which periodically projects into the rotary compartment and also periodically clears the interior or rotary compartment thereby facilitating the passage of the bounding cross wall.

In addition to the aforesaid slide valve, there is provided an admission opening for the driving medium and an outlet opening arranged so that a power expansion or working pressure chamber is formed in the rotary compartment between one side of the cross wall of the rotary compartment and one side of the slide valve and an exhaust chamber between another side of the cross wall and the rotary compartment and another side of the slide valve.

In the motor constructed according to the present invention the driving medium does not act on a conventional reciprocable piston but acts within a rotary compartment of a rotor or Wheel body rotating in a casing into which is periodicallyv projected a slide valve. The pressure acts inthese rotary compartments thus setting the wheel bodyinto rotary movement and effecting the transmission of a propelling force :directly to the shaft of the motor.

1 With this type of motor it is possible to reduce to a minimum the friction resistance and other losses through wear andtear normally encountered in heretofore known rotary motors. The running of the present motor is much smoother, more uniform and substantially without vibration since very little noise is produced because the outlet of the consumed driving medium takes place under a relatively weak pressure.

For a motor of a particular output it is possible, according to the present invention, to reduce the size of the motor and the quantity of the required driving medium in comparison toheretofore known rotary motors. I

The motor of the present invention may be driven by steam, compressed air and all other solid or liquid fuels or gases. Referring particularly to combustion fuels, such as gasoline, parafiin, crude oil and gas, the present motor provides for this type of fuel one or more compression devices that can be designed according to the piston system or as rotary machines.

The above description and objects of the present invention will be best understood by reference to the specification in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical section of the present rotary motor taken across the shaft of the machineon section line ll of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the present motor taken across the shaft thereof on section. line 22 of Fig, 3;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken parallel to the shaft of the motor on section line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a, plan view, with parts broken away and shown in section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view taken from the right of Fig. 2, with parts broken away, and shown in section; I

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a compartment of one of the rotors with a slide valve projecting therein.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, there is shown the machine or motor of the present invention which includes a casing l in which is housed a central shaft 3, the latter passing through the side walls 2 of the casing I. Mountedon the central shaft 3 are two wheel bodies or rotors 4 and 5 which are arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to. each other and are rotatable with the shaft 3 within the wheel casing I.

The wheel bodies or rotors t, 5 are each provided at their peripheries with four similar rotary compartments 6 formed by a depression I in the periphery of the wheel body or rotor. The

depression, as illustrated in Fig. 6, is semi-circular in cross section and is provided with cross wal1s l at spaced intervals thereabout which dig on; to be laterally displ'aceable. wheel 24 is set inmotion, it operates various vide the depression or cavity into the aforesaid rotary compartments.

It is apparent to one skilled in the art that the cross section of the respective rotary compartments can be of any 'other suitablerform,,but the one illustrated facilitates a good sealing thereof. The cross Walls I of the rotor 4 are displaced at an angle of approximately 45 with respective other cross walls of the rotor 5'.-

The cross walls 7 of the respective? rotors 4;, 5 are fitted at their free borders with sets of packing strips 8 and further with a strip-9 for 'lubri cating oil, the latter acting as a-. scraper gliding; along on the inside of a running surface pro-- vided in the casing l.

The lubrication and scraper strips 9" protrude sideways into the lubricating channels H disposed laterally in the wheel casing l.. Each rotary compartment 6 of the respective rotors is tightened up on both sides by several packing strips II which are placed next to. each other, the innermost-one off the packing strips [2 extending, toward'the neighboring rotary compartmerit, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 62

In order. to maintain. the sides of the rotary compartment tight, a similar structure may be employed and insteadofusing stripson' the sides of the rotary compartments packing. strips may be fitted to the casing, opposite the sidewalls of the rotary compartments. Further strips may be provided. on the-casing aswell as on the. side walls of the rotary compartments.

Mounted within the casing l are the slide valves I3,. I '4 each of; which is periodically pro.- iectable into the rotary. compartment situated therebelow. The slide valves l3, I14 are each surrounded. by a jacket l containing asuitable' cool ing medium. It is. apparent that the cooling. may also take place in the slide valves.

As clearlyillustratedi'n. Fig. 6,' the slide valves L3 and are providedwith different sealing bars IB'to keep the respective valves tight, said bars being U-shaped and exten'ding'toward' the rotary compartment- Suitable pressure elements I! are provided to keep the; sealing bar: "5' tight against the casing I. Whenza' cross wall T passes the slide valve, the latter is synchronizingly pushedt'o a position exteriorly of the rotary'compartment. Due to. the fact that the packing strips 8 hugthe-side wall of. the housing when the cross wall of the respectiverotary' compartment passes the slide. valve, 2; perfect'sealing and safe passage of the respective cross. walls of the rotary compartments are assured; Instead of reciprocable sli'de' valves, it' is possible to use. valves of the rotary type.

As shown in Figs. 1. 2, 4 and 5, the slide valve [3' is operated by the levers [i1 and [9' on shaft 18,.- tappets 20,. and. lever 22- on the axle 21. The

lever 22' carries a stud125 placed within aguide channel 23 of cam wheel 24. and a hook 26 engaging the guiding ridge 21 of the aforesaid cam wheel; The lever 22 is biasedbymeans of a spring 28 to efiect a prompt closing action;

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 the camwheel 241s keyed to'the'shaft Hand is mounted there- When the cam controls through the gear 30 which issituated within the rotor 4- together withthe gear 3| which is opposite the-central shaft 3.

The lateral displacement of the cam wheel 24 is'eflectedby means of the guide channel- 32 (Fig.

6) providedin the rotor 5 being engaged by the stud 33 (Fig. 5')" of the rod 34, the latter being secured to the cam wheel 24 by means of the I which, during alternate revolutions, the stud 25 runs in the guide channel 23. The arrangement 05 thelrise and dwell portions of the guide channel orrcaxm tracks 23 (Fig. 2) causes the slide valve l3 to be opened, the valve being closed again imme'di'ately and quickly after the passage of the cross wall of the rotary compartment due to thebiasing effect of the spring 28.

A space is provided in the inside of guiding ridge 21' for the-hook 26, the bottom of this space running parallel to guide channel or cam tracks 23, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The cam wheel 24 is provided on its other side with a. channel guidin ridge 36.and guide channel 31 whereby in' the. particular position of the cam wheel, illustrated" in. Fig. 5, the stud 38- lies ex. teriorly of the guide channel 31 and the slide valve l4, normally actuated by the guiding ridge 3 6 cooperating'with' the-hook 39' on the lever 40 carried an axle 21', tappet 42', and levers 4| and 44 carried on shaft 43;.is maintained in a closed position.

After the lateral displacement of the cam Wheel 24' the stud 38 engagingly glides into the channel 31. and, in the same manner as previously described; slide valve. [4 is operated'hy the lever 40, thetappet 4.2and' levers 41'. 44. The final closed gage ofthe slide valves f3. and I4 is obtained by means of the adiustment; screws 45 (Figs; 1' and 5) on which the levers l'9' and are mounted. The tappets 2.0 and 42' are installed so that they can be timed at will whereby an accurate and safe opening and closin of the. slide valves, are assured;

By means of thegear 311 within the. rotor 4, the crank shaft 4T is set in motion together with movable gears. leading to, shaft 3 by. means of a gear 416,. shown in. dotted lines in Figs. 1. and 3; The central shaftv 3 is connected. to the rod. 48' and the compression piston 49. which is reciprocable in the cylindrical casing 50;, the latter being mounted-between the two rotors. 4,, 5,; The cylindricalcasing. is surrounded by a. cavity 5| which is. adapted to. contain a cooling medium. A suction channel 51L" is provided in the. cylindrical casing 50 for the admission of air into the latter.

Mounted transversely of the suction channel is a valve. 52 which; is, actuated by the cam wheel 24 by means of. thetilting lever 54 which is pivoted on the axle 53-. Accordingly in response to the movement of the cam wheel 24: the valve 52 permits the intake. 01: the fuel by suction. The tilting lever 54 is: biased onto, the cam. wheel 24 .by means. ofthe.- valve spring 55; the lever 54 carrying a. cam engaging roller 56 which runs along a peripheral. cam track: 5:! provided, on. the carnwheel2-4.

In. lieu. of; the compression piston illustrated it is apparent: that. rotary compressors may be employed.

Two channels. 58L and 59 (Fig. 3'); are. provided in communication with the cylindrical casing 50, the channelspassing through themotor casing l. Mounted within the channels 58, 59- are the. admission valves 60, 6|. Two expansion or combustion chambers- 62 and B3 are formed and through enlarged cavities are brought into communication with the rotarycompartment in the vicinity of the admission valves 60 and GI.

5 Mounted within the combustion chambers are the spark plugs 64 and 65 (Fig. 4). Instead of spark plugs it' is apparent that'an injection system for the fuel may be used. v I

The admission valves 60 and 6] are actuated by the levers B8 and 69mounted n the axle 66, the levers resting each on a respective cam track or surfaces!!! and H and being providedwith rollers runningalong the cam tracks.

Thecam tracks or surfaces 10, I! are raised only on one-half of their respective circumferences and therefor the lateral displacement of the cam wheel takes place so that during each revolution of the same one valve is maintained in a closed position while the other admission valve is broughtvinto action.

Accordingly the admission valves 60 and. GI are operativev alternately under the action of the cam wheel. The openings 14 are provided to expel the consumed driving medium. 7

. As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, there is provided an oil reservoir 12 in which an oil pump, not shown, is mounted. The lubrication of the shaft 3 takes place through oil pipes (not shown) connected to the aforesaid pump. Further a special oil pipe (not shown) communicates with each cross wall I of the rotary compartment 6 and to the lubrication scraper 9. The special oil pipe further leads to a lateral lubrication oil channel I l, and from thelatter the lubricating oil is conducted back again to the'oil reservoir 12.

.The aforesaid system facilitates the lubrication ofall of the sliding surfaces-in the casing'during revolution of the rollers. Other oil pipes lead to the slide valves IS anil M froruthe oil pump, these pipes terminating on both sides near the U,-shaped packing strips [6 of the slide valves and accordingly the sliding surfaces between the slide valves and the rotary compartment are also lubricated. When the slide valves are opened during operation, theoil feed for the respective valves is suspended. By the aforesaid lubrication system, the crankshaft, the compressor, the bearings, and the entire control mechanism are suitably lubricated.

Through the covering 13 all the slide valves and control mechanisms are suitably protected. The actuation ofthe ignition means 64, 65 is effected from the cam wheel 24 in a manner which will be clear and, therefore, has not been illustrated. The expansion combustion chambers 62 and 63 are surrounded by suitable cavities I adapted to contain a cooling medium.

' However, instead of these cavities finned tubular radiators for air cooling may be employed. The aforesaid motor having the rotary compartments is operated with gasoline as the i'ueLas will now be described. v

The position of the motor illustrated in Fig. 1 is the position immediately after the beginning of the combustion process. The rotors 4 and 5 are. moving in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1. The suction valve 52-is opened bythe cam wheel24 acting through the cam track 51.

The suction of the fuel from the carburetor, not. shown, then takes place in response to the down stroke of the compressor piston 49. When the down strokeforthe intake of fuel is terminated,- the suction valve 52 is closed and the fuel is subsequently .compressedto about one atmosphere through the compression stroke of the piston "in theYcylindrical casing 59. In the meantime the slide valve 13 has been pushed also permittingthe'passage of the cross walls I of the rotor released by slide valve l3.

The slide valve i4 is opened in a manner similar to the opening of the slide valve l3, the latter bein actuated as follows:

The lever 22 is lifted up by the stud 25,'and this movement is transmitted to the slide valve l3lby means of the tappet 2li, the-lever IS, the shaft [8 and lever 61'. The spring 28 which rests on the lever 22 is compressed and immediately after the passage of the cross wall I of the rotor contiguous to the slide valve 13, the slide valve is closed quickly due to the sharp bend in the guide channel 23. 1 Immediately after the closing of the slide valve I3 the admission valve Gil is opened by action of the raised portion of the cam track 1B of the cam wheel 24, the motion being transmitted over the lever 68. By the same stroke, the fuel which is beforehand compressed to about one atmosphere in the compressor is compressed to approximately six atmospheres through the channel 58 in the combustion chamber 62. At the moment when the compression stroke is terminated the admission valve 60 is closed and the fuel mixture is brought to combustion, as previously described. Due to the pressure resulting fromthe' explosion of the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber 62 the cross wall 1 of the rotary compartment is "pushed away from the slide valve 13 and rotated in'the direction of the arrow and thus the motor shaft is likewise rotated. Y 7

' The burnt gas is conducted through the rotary compartment and through the casing until the first cross wall of the rotor has passed the slide valve and the slide valve is again closed, whereupon the burnt gas is expelled through the opening it. During the combustion and also immediately after the closing of the valve l3 thecam wheel 24 is laterally displaced so that the stud 25, during the next revolution of the cam wheel, is exteriorly of the guide channel 23 by virtue of the cooperation of the stud 33 with the rod 34.

Then, during revolution of the cam wheel, the slide valve i3 is maintained in the closed position by the guiding ridge 21 together with the hook 26, engaging in it, over the actuating mechanism. The lateral displacement of the cam wheel 24 simultaneously results in the maintenance of the admission valve 69 in a closed position during the revolution of the cam'wheel, due to the fact that'the roller of the'tilting lever 68 runs outside of the cam track 19.

Directly after the closing of the admission valve 56, the suction valve 62 is again'opened and the action of suction and compression is repeated, but this time in such a manner'thatthecompressed fuelis fed into the combustion chamber 63 through the admission valve fil The function of the valve and slides actuated bythe lateral displacement of the cam wheel 26 is the same as previously describedand force is again transmitted from the combustion chamber 63 to the shaft 3.

While there is'still an expansion in the*'com'- partment of one of the rotors another combustion takes place in the other rotor and 'thereby the machine shaft 3 is always subjected to a propulsion force. With reference to the motor-havingthe rotary compartments, as descriioed in the drawings, there occurs eight combustions in the two rotors foreyery revolution of the machine shaf t.

l A special advantageis 'derived from the fact that the size N and general "constructioncf the present motor may be adapted at will-for various purposes and required uses. I

when it is: desired to use as a driving medium,

compressed airor similar non-combustibles, the construction of. the motor will be on the. same. principle but without the compressor.

It can thus be seen that there has been pro vided in accordance with. this invention, in combination, a motor, a casing, a shaft rotatably iournaled in said casing, rotor means fixedly secured to said shaft, said rotor means being provided with. at. least; two axially spaced rotary compartments, first control means for admitting a motive fluid to one of said compartments, thereby impartinga torque. to. said haft, and subsequently dischargin said m ive f uid therefrom, second control means for admittin a motive fluid to the other of; said. compartments, thereby imparting, a similar torque to said shaft, and s1ibseq uently discharg ng said motive fluid therefrom, and operating: mechanism for alternately actuating said first and; second control means, said operating mechanism comprising a cam wheel, mounting meansrotatably securing said cam wheel tosaid casing; in axially displaceable manner, transmission means coupling said cam wheel with said shaft for synchronous rotation, and linkage means. engaging; said cam wheel and controlled by said. rotor means for placing said cam wheel in a first axial position during a certain and in a second axial position d ring other revolutions of said cam wheel, said first control means includins first cam follower means positioned to be displaced by said. cam. wheel in said first axial position; only. said second control means including second cam. follower means. positioned to. be displaced: by said; cam. wheel in said second axial position on y- I'olaim:

1'. In a motor, in combination, a. casing, a shaft rotatablyjournaled in, said casing; rotor means fixedly secured. to said shaft, said rotor means being provided with at least two axially spaced rotary compartments, first control means for admitting a motive fluid to one ofv said compartments, thereby imparting a torque to said shaft, and subsequently discharging said motive fluid therefrom, second control means foradmittin a motive fluid to the other of said compartments, thereby imparting a similar torque to said shaft, and subsequently discharging said motive fluid therefrom, and operating mechanism for alternately actuating said first and second control means, said operating mechanism comprising a cam wheel, mounting means rotatablysecuring said cam wheel to said casing in axially displaceable manner, transmission means coupling said cam wheel with said shaft for synchronous rotation, and linkage means engaging said cam wheel and controlled by said rotor means for placing said cam wheel in a first axial position during certain and in a second axial position during other revolutions of said cam wheel, said first control means including first cam follower means positioned to be displaced by said cam wheel in said firstlaxial position only, said second control means including second cam follower means positioned to be displaced by said cam wheel in said second axial position, only.

2. In a motor the combination according to claim 1, wherein said. rotor means comprises a pair of axially spaced wheel-bodies, said cam wheel being disposed intermediate said wheelbodies and parallel thereto.

3. In a motor the combination according to claim 1, wherein one:- of said wheel-bodies: is provided with a guide channel facing said shaft, aid,

8: linkage means comprising. an arm. provided with a stud in engagement with said guide chamieL.

4. In a motor. in combination, a casing, a shalt rotatably journaled in said casing, rotor means fixedly secured. to said. shaft. said rotor means beingprovided with two. axially spaced peripheral grooves and with cross walls, partitioning said grooves, thereby forming said grooves into rotary compartments, a common source of. motive fluid. a first and a second slide eachv held displaceably in. said casing adjacent a respective one of said grooves, fluid inlet. and. outlet means on opposite sides of, said slides, a first. pair. of levers for re peo tively displacing said. slides into. and, out of. the respective grooves, valve means connectme said inlet means with said source of motive fluid; a second pair of levers for. selec ively operating said valve. means to admit fluid from. said source to a respective one of said grooves, and, operating mechanism for actuating, said levers to operate each of said slides to enter the. respective groove immediately after pas a e of a cross wall. thereof past said slide, to. admit motive. fluid immediately thereafter into the; space created between said cross. wall and said. slide, whereby a torque is imparted to said shaft, and to withdraw said slide upon approach. of the next succeeding cross wall. the relative positions of said slides and of. said cross walls being such that said. slides. alternately register with respective cross. walls. during, rotation of said, shaft, said operating mechanism. comprising a cam wheel, mounting. means rotatably securing said cam wheel to. said casing in axially displaceable manner, transmission means couplin said cam. wheel with said shaft for rotation of said cam wheelv at an angular velocity N times the. angular velocity of said rotor means, N being the total number of compartments formed in both of said grooves, linkage. means engaging. said cam wheel and controlled by said rotor means for placing said cam wheel in. a first axial position duringodd-numbered and in asecond axial position during even-numbered revolutions of said cam wheel, and first and second pairs of cam followers for operating said first and second pair of levers, respectively, from said cam wheel, one cam follower of each of; said pairs beingpositioned to be displaced, by said cam wheel in. said first axial position only, the other cam follower of each of; said. pairs: beingpositioned to. be dis placed by said camv wheel. in said second axial position only.

5. In a motor the combination according to claim 4, wherein said cam wheel is provided with a pair of raised surfaces extending partly around the circumference of said cam wheel, each of said raised surfaces being of such width as to be engageable by a respective cam follower of one of said pairs in a respective one of said axial positions only.

6. In a motor the combination according to claim 4, wherein said cam wheel is provided on each of its two faces with a respective guide channel, the cam followers of one of said pairs comprising a pair of studs positioned adjacent said two faces, respectively, and adapted to enter a respective one of said, guide channels in a re.- spective one of' said axial positions only.

7. In a motor the. combination according to claim 6,. wherein each of said two. faces, of said Wheel i P ovided with a respectiv circular ri ch of said. studs being provided with a respective extension engaging said circular ridge in that axial osition of said cam. wheel, in. which 9 the respective stud does not engage the respective guide channel.

8. In a motor the combination according to claim 7, wherein each of said extensions is in the form of a hook, each of said ridges being undercut to provide a clearance for said hook in that axial position of said cam wheel in which the respective stud is engaged by the respective guide channel.

9. In a motor the combination according to claim 4, wherein said source of motive fluid includes a piston cylinder provided with a suction valve, a piston in said cylinder and an additional cam follower for operating said suction valve, said cam wheel comprising a control surface cooperating with said additional cam follower in each axial position of said cam wheel, said piston being synchronized with said cam wheel by way of said transmission means.

FRIEDRICH KUNZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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